3_4_3 Software classification

You should be able to:

  • Explain what is meant by:

•• system software

•• application software.

  • Give examples of both types of software.
  • Understand the need for, and functions of, operating systems (OS) and utility programs.
  • Understand that the OS handles management of the:

•• processor(s)

•• memory

•• I/O devices

•• applications

•• security.

REVISE:

Software allows the user to interact with the hardware.

Software comes in two main types:

  • System software - The operating system, file handling systems, anti-virus software, disk fragmentation tools and compression tools are all examples of system software. System software allows the computer to function correctly.
  • Application Software - Spreadsheets, Web Browsers, Word Processors, Games, Presentation Software and Graphic Design Tools are all examples of application software. Application software or "apps" are just the "end user" programs.

A deeper explanation of operating systems can be viewed in the video below:

TEST:

  1. Download and print the test paper here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5fLtQ0Xgr2PeHNybG1UUC0yR2M
  2. Try the mock test yourself.
  3. Use the 3.4.3 Walking Talking Mock below to guide you through answering the questions.

SOURCE RECOGNITION - PLEASE NOTE: The examination examples used in these walking talking mocks are samples from AQA from their non-confidential section of the public site. They also contain questions designed by TeachIT for AQA as part of the publicly available lesson materials.